Free Web NovelChapter 423: Chapter 419: Humoring Someone
As Li Zhi spoke, he gave Er Gouzi a punch on the shoulder. Of course, he wasn’t actually trying to hurt him—it was their way of being friendly and welcoming.
"What’s wrong with you? Still not convinced? If you’ve got a problem with it, let’s take it outside."
Zheng Fa grinned, feeling very comfortable. It was like he was back in the army, and he could smile again. After returning home from the army, his family’s poverty and rural life meant he couldn’t find a decent job. He wasn’t the sharpest tool in the shed, either. He’d managed to get a job at the local police station, but after just a few days, he offended the deputy chief, who chewed him out and kicked him out. After that, he found several other jobs, working himself to the bone for barely any pay. Back home, his older brother wasn’t even married yet, and they all lived together in a rundown house. He also had two younger brothers, an older sister, and two younger sisters. Just thinking about how they were living gave him a headache.
His village didn’t have a telephone, so the only reason Li Zhi found him was because another army buddy from the city went all the way out there. He asked Zheng Fa if he wanted to come to Dingzi’s wedding.
His parents hadn’t wanted him to come. Why? The travel expenses were a lot of money, and they couldn’t afford it.
Even though Li Zhi had said he’d cover the ticket and food expenses, Zheng Fa respected Dingzi too much. To attend someone’s wedding and then take their money for it just didn’t feel right. In the end, his family sold their pig and borrowed more money so he could come. He had thought he’d have to go back to tightening his belt just to get by, but he never expected that when it was time to leave, Li Zhi and Dingzi would give him so many things, and even secretly stuff two hundred yuan into his pocket.
He was a tough man, but you can’t live without money. Looking at that two hundred yuan, tears streamed down his face. It was then that he resolved to come here and work with Li Zhi and Dingzi.
He might not be quick-witted, but he knew who the good guys were. He believed that as long as he worked hard, Li Zhi and Dingzi would never treat him unfairly. Since his family agreed, he got things settled at home and came over without hesitation.
"I’m not fighting you. If you’re so tough, go fight Dingzi. Fighting you just hurts my hands, and I don’t get anything good out of it anyway."
Li Zhi wasn’t stupid. If he fought Zheng Fa, he’d be the one losing out.
"Sui’er is still the best. She knows how to stick up for her big brother. I haven’t been spoiling you for nothing."
Li Zhi stopped bantering with Zheng Fa and turned to Sui’er.
Sui’er blushed a little and lowered her head without saying anything.
"Let’s all have dinner here tonight. I’ll go down and get a case of liquor to welcome Brother Zheng."
As the host, Sun Jiaming extended the invitation to Zheng Fa.
"Brother Jiaming, please, don’t go to any trouble. No need to get liquor. Just a bowl of rice is more than enough for me."
Zheng Fa waved his hands repeatedly, afraid of causing them trouble.
"It’s fine, just sit tight. How can we not drink when you’re here? We’re not in the army anymore. Jiaming, you don’t need to go down either. I still have a few bottles in my room. I’ll go grab them, and we’ll drink our fill tonight."
With that, Li Zhi went out to get the liquor.
"Mary, aren’t you worried Brother Dingzi will drink too much?"
Sui’er asked Marina in a low voice. ’My older sister is pregnant, so it’s not a big deal if my brother-in-law drinks too much. But Dingzi and Marina just got married. Won’t Marina have a problem with it?’
"It’s fine. This is how men should be. When you’re with friends, you have to be sincere, give it your all, and make sure everyone has a good time. I won’t get angry no matter how much he drinks. I’ll just think he’s a hero."
Marina looked at Dingzi with a proud expression, as if he had done something incredibly amazing.
Sui’er couldn’t quite understand Marina’s way of thinking. When her own father drank too much, her mother would get so unhappy and nag him endlessly. Of course, she knew her mom was just worried about her dad, but she knew even better that her mom hated him drinking. ’How come Mary is so different from my mom?’
With this thought in mind, Lin Sui’er called home. She wanted to have dinner at the Sun Family’s place but needed to let Chen Fengjiao know so she wouldn’t worry. Chen Fengjiao didn’t object. After all, she couldn’t forbid her daughter from eating at the Sun’s home. She was happy that her two daughters were getting along so well.
That evening, the men really did drink a lot. That Zheng Fa could also hold his liquor, downing it like it was water. If they hadn’t finished all the alcohol brought over from Li Zhi’s place, they probably would have kept going.
When it was time for Sui’er to leave, Li Zhi offered to drive her since he had a car, but Gu’er wouldn’t let him. Even though they didn’t really check for drunk driving back then, there were still too many accidents caused by it. With how much Li Zhi had to drink, Gu’er couldn’t trust them to be safe.
Sui’er understood what Gu’er meant, so she didn’t let Li Zhi drive her. In the end, she found a car to take her back to the Lin Family home. Once she arrived, she called Gu’er to let her know she was safe, and only then did Gu’er feel relieved.
For the time being, Zheng Fa stayed at Li Zhi’s place. They were in the process of setting up a staff dormitory over at the shopping center, and he would move in there once it was ready.
Initially, they had only hired people from the city, so there was no need to arrange for housing. But with Zheng Fa’s arrival, and with others gradually coming over, they realized that future hires might also come from the villages, not the city. Therefore, a staff dormitory was a must. People needed a place to stay; they couldn’t just have every new person live in one of their homes.
I got back a bit late today, so I’m publishing two Chapters together. Thanks to Pacific Stone Monkey for the monthly ticket.
